TROUBLE erupted in Oyster Lane in Byfleet at the weekend and a man is now on bail following an alleged assault on a resident.

Surrey Police has confirmed that a 22-year-old man from Byfleet is on bail and an investigation is ongoing following an incident on Sunday where a man, aged 43, was allegedly assaulted.

Residents have complained before at police reassurance meetings about anti-social behaviour in the road. They cite cars being vandalised, people screaming and shouting and people being under the influence of alcohol.

Following the complaints, police officers did step up patrols in the area to try and target those responsible. One resident has compared the goings-on in the street to “a war”.

The resident, who did not want to be identified, said: “The problems in the road are spiralling out of control and something needs to be done before someone gets murdered. It’s like a war and it needs to be dealt with. It’s all down to drink.”

Working with Woking Borough Council last year, Surrey Police set up JAG — joint action group — and asked residents to fill out incident forms to report any crimes in the area.

But even though problems in the road had recently died down, residents are concerned that trouble seems to be starting again.

Another Oyster Lane resident, who also did not wish to be named, said she felt frightened when she was at home on her own.

She said: “It has all started up again. It has been gradually creeping up and at the weekend there were people out in the road. On Sunday there was a major incident. People were swearing and arguing in the street.

“People don’t hang around in the road as much as they used to but they fight against each other. It’s not just at night, it can happen in the afternoon when they have been drinking. It wakes you up and it’s frightening if you are in on your own.

“When the police get called, they turn up and the people quieten down but only for a while.”

Another resident, Roy Sayers, said: “I did see three police cars in the road and I did hear some shouting. It has been quite quiet recently until the weekend.”

Cllr Simon Hutton has raised the matter with the borough council. He said: “This matter is causing major stress for all the families in the road and something needs to be done urgently. This has been going on for years.

“Residents must report any incidents in writing to the council or call the police so there is evidence available.” Phil Mason, the council’s tenant and leaseholder services manager, said: “We were informed by Cllr Hutton that an incident had taken place in Oyster Lane over the weekend.

“We also received one complaint from a resident in the area. We take all complaints from our tenants about anti-social behaviour very seriously and will liaise with all relevant parties and take appropriate action in this case.

“All residents who experience anti-social behaviour are reminded that they must fill out incident sheets, so that we have sufficient evidence to take these matters further.”